“Let us go forth unto him (Christ) without the camp bearing his reproach” (Heb. 13:13).
The first century Hebrew believers would draw a significant lesson from these words. They were painfully aware that faith in Jesus as the Christ had severed them from reliance on the ordinances of the Mosaic law and had placed them outside the mainstream Jewish community. In most instances, their faith had abolished relationships with friends, relatives and leaders of the people. They were willing to bear reproach from the enemies of Christ.
In all ages, separation from those who oppose the Truth has been a common denominator, a necessary element in the process of living the Truth. This principle was enunciated in the Law, “Be holy, for I am holy…make a distinction between the unclean and clean…” (Lev. 11:45-47).
Separation or concession
Separation for the gospel’s sake is never a pleasant experience. Men often use the principle of concession or compromise to avoid separation. Jews in the first century ecclesia tried this approach when they contended, “Ye must be circumcised after the manner of Moses or you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). Their fellow Jews would be pacified, and antagonism to their preaching that Jesus was the Messiah would be blunted.
This idea caused an immediate clamor of dissent in the ecclesia at Antioch. It was a significant challenge to the Truth and prompted a quick response.
An apostolic conference held at Jerusalem (Acts 15) resulted in the decision that Gentiles should not be required to be circumcised nor to be subject to the Mosaic law.
This decision proved to be a milestone in defining Gentile participation in ecclesial life. The spirit of concession had failed. Freedom in Christ could not be abridged to accommodate the Jews.
A deadly game
The spirit of compromise is a deadly game to play. At first glance, it seems a sensible and lovable way to resolve differences, but it is an easy way to dissolve the purity of the Truth. For this reason, the apostle Paul wrote some very poignant words about the dangers of compromise: “I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Cor. 13:3).
There was a strong campaign by the Jewish leadership to stop Paul at any cost. The gospel was spreading fast and it posed a threat to the unity of the synagogues and Jerusalem’s religious hierarchy. A showdown was imminent. When it came, it caused a permanent cleavage with those of the synagogue fellowship and those of the ecclesia. It happened at Antioch of Pisidia (not Antioch of Syria).
When Paul arrived at that city on his first missionary journey, he exhorted the Jews in the synagogue, declaring that only through Jesus was forgiveness of sins possible (Acts 13:38). The Jews contradicted the words of Paul and railed upon him. But he would not concede. His declaration was, “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (v.46).
No room for boasting
The Law had proven all men to be guilty of sin in the eyes of God (Rom. 3:19-23). Then God broke down the middle wall of separation through the Lord Jesus. Christ had made of twain one new man in himself, thus making peace. Therefore, unity in the spirit of humility became the leading imperative for all believers (Eph. 2:14-18). A new foundation had been laid through the work of Christ and the apostles; all faithful men and women were invited to participate in constructing an holy temple in the Lord (Eph. 2:20-22).
The harmonious unity of people in one faith is easier to contemplate than it is to implement. Ecclesial structure based upon brotherly love and doctrinal purity calls for the best effort of all believers.
A straight plumb line
Only close attention to the word of God will assure unity without compromise among believers. The cornerstone has been laid for the spiritual house. The real challenge is in finding willing hands to hold the plumb line straight to assure the building will rise in line with our cornerstone — the Lord Jesus Christ.
The construction of God’s temple has spanned almost 2,000 years. The believers in the first century started laying the bricks and we continue the work today. How straight is the plumb line in our hands? Will the brethren of past centuries rejoice with us because we have carried on the work properly and faithfully?
The concept of unity
“With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2-3).
In practice, we can only achieve this unity of spirit through a consistent renewal of our minds with the spirit word. This will feed the new man with spiritual nourishment.
Before departing to Ephesus, Paul spent 18 months in Corinth laying a sound foundation for the ecclesia. While at Ephesus, Paul received disturbing information about the Corinthian ecclesia. A threat to ecclesial unity had developed. A factious spirit had arisen and cliques were tearing it apart.
Fleshly thinking lay at the center of the problem. Paul’s first epistle to them contained important counseling for the purpose of helping resolve the disputes among them: “Not many wise men after the flesh…are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…that no flesh should glory in his presence” (I Cor. 1:26-29).
Building the house
Paul was a wise builder when he laid their spiritual foundation. Today the temple (ecclesia) of God is directly affected by our actions. Those who are factious will reap the reward due to those who are classified as destroyers of God’s holy temple.
Each member is a trustee of the great and precious truths of God. We are stewards of the manifold grace of God and we must be wise builders, reaffirming the faith, walking in righteousness and eschewing error.
May God’s blessing rest upon this effort until our Lord returns.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One